NEW DELHI: In what will be welcome news for Royal Challengers Bengaluru fans, South African legend AB de Villiers has expressed his desire to return to the Indian Premier League - not as a player, but in a coaching or mentoring role. The RCB great said that whenever the franchise feels the time is right, he would definitely want to be part of the setup.
The wicketkeeper-batter, who retired from all forms of cricket in 2021, began his IPL journey with Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals) in 2008, spending three seasons there before making the move to RCB in 2011.
"I might be involved with the IPL again in the future in a different role, but committing to a full season in a professional capacity is really tricky, and I believe those days are done. That said, you never say never. My heart is with RCB and always will be. So, if the franchise feels there's a role for me (as a coach or mentor), when my time is right and ready, it will definitely be RCB," de Villiers told IANS.
During his illustrious stint with RCB, the South African star piled up 4,522 runs in 157 matches at an impressive average of 41.10 and a blistering strike rate of 158.33, including two centuries and 37 half-centuries.
He also shares the record for the highest partnership in IPL history - a 229-run stand with Virat Kohli against Gujarat Lions in 2016, a season where he amassed 687 runs to finish third on the run-scorers’ list. Overall, across 184 IPL games for two franchises, he scored 5,162 runs at a strike rate of 151.68, registering 40 fifties and three centuries.
In 2022, De Villiers was inducted into the RCB Hall of Fame alongside Chris Gayle.
